Frame having adjustable supports and underbelly pan for food processing equipment

ABSTRACT

A support frame for a piece of equipment such as food handling equipment, or the like, includes a base with a pair of laterally spaced rails. A plurality of spaced apart beams extend generally transversely between the rails and are slidable relative to the rails in a first direction. A plurality of saddle members are positioned on the beams for supporting a piece of equipment and slide relative to the beams in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction. The saddle members on the rails are preferably configured and located for being sheltered from falling debris. An easily cleaned curved underbelly pan may likewise be provided for catching falling matter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/113,125, filed Aug. 30, 1993, entitled SUPPORT FRAME FOR A FOODHANDLING EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS A MEAT SLICER OR THE LIKE, and applicationSer. No. 08/024,010, filed Mar. 1, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,707entitled SLIDABLE WORK SURFACE SYSTEM, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to support devices for work equipmentand, more particularly, to a support frame for food handling equipment,such as a meat slicer or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices for supporting equipment for working on work pieces areknown in the art. Examples of conventional devices are shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 1,756,932; 1,899,867; 2,707,659; 2,833,598; 2,934,384;3,096,583; 4,601,226; and 4,764,049.

The prior art devices are, however, bulky, complicated, unwieldy, and donot offer the flexibility needed in the present day environment where itis frequently necessary to remove the work equipment in order to cleanthe area around the work station, or to substitute one equipment foranother. In addition, conventional supports are designed and constructedwith the objective that the work equipment is fixedly mounted therebymaking it extremely inconvenient to easily remove the work equipment forcleaning purposes, or plainly to substitute one equipment for another.The prior art supports traditionally have also been made of numerousparts thereby making assembly and disassembly rather difficult.

In the retail trade, such as in grocery stores, delicatessens, andbakeries, in particular, there is a need for a support frame for a foodhandling equipment, such as a meat slicer or the like, which is simpleto operate, easy to construct, versatile for accommodating differentsize equipment, and which can be readily disassembled for cleaning. Theability to clean a device is particularly important in the retail tradeof food in view of strict governmental regulations.

Although my earlier inventions work well, there is an ongoing need foreven more hygienic, more easily operated, and more readily cleanedsupports, attachments, accessories, and fastening devices, for example,for use in the food service industry.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is to provide a support frame fora food handling equipment which overcomes the drawbacks of existingdevices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support frame for a foodhandling equipment which offers the flexibility of supporting variousequipment of different sizes, or having offset footprints.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a support frame for afood handling equipment that offers the flexibility and greatconvenience of removing the equipment for cleaning purposes.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a support framefor a food handling equipment which is simple in construction, easy touse, and easy to assemble and disassemble.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a supportframe for a food handling equipment which is greatly versatile in thatit can be used in connection with different types of food handling orthe like stations, such as a food display case, a pedestal, or aroll-cart.

Yet an additional object of the invention is to provide a support framefor a food handling equipment which helps improve hygiene in and aroundwork stations, and especially in an environment where food for humanconsumption is being handled.

Still yet an additional object of the invention is to provide a supportframe for a food handling equipment which can be used in conjunctionwith an upstanding food handling or the like station thereby enablingthe operator to have a face-to-face contact with a consumer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a food handlingapparatus for use in the retail trade, such as in grocery stores,delicatessens, bakeries, etc.

Yet a still further object of the invention is to provide improvedfasteners for use in messy environments that resist soiling.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a support frame,particularly suited for food handling equipment, which is easier toclean than known equipment.

In summary, the main object of the invention is to provide a supportframe for a food handling equipment which overcomes the drawbacksassociated with the conventional devices, is easy to use, versatile, andhelps improve hygiene in and around a work station, such as in grocerystores, delicatessens, bakeries, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages and novel features of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support frame of the invention,shown with the general outline of a food handling equipment in phantomlines and with various accessories;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, end elevational view of the support frame shownin FIG. 1, shown with a food slicer in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a saddle member of the supportframe of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the saddle member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating the details of an accessorysocket fitting;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support frame of the invention,shown mounted behind a display case;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an upstanding food handling apparatus,shown with the support frame of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support frame of the invention,shown mounted on a roll-cart;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of thesupport frame of the invention, shown mounted on a free-standing table;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of thesupport frame of the invention, shown mounted on a free-standing table;

FIG. 11 is a partial, side elevational view of the preferred embodimentof FIG. 10, shown with the general outline of a supported piece ofequipment shown schematically in phantom line;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of anotherpreferred embodiment of fasteners according to the invention for usewith the support rails and beams according to the invention; and,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, from below, of the side rail fasteneraccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, support frame F of the inventionincludes a generally rectangular base 10, made from a conventionalmaterial, such as stainless steel. In fact, the entire frame F and orunderbelly pan 120 can be made of stainless steel, plastic, aluminum, orother functionally equivalent material.

Base 10 includes left and right sidewalls 12 and 14 that extend abovebottom 16 thereof. A panel 18, generally corresponding in shape and sizeto base 10, is mounted above bottom 16 and in between sidewalls 12 and14. A recess 20, corresponding in shape and size to base 10, istherefore formed between bottom 16 and panel 18, for slidably receivinga work top 22. Depending upon the need, top 22 can be pulled out from orpushed into frame F (shown by arrows 24 and 26) for providing extra workspace. While not shown, a conventional stop mechanism(s) may be providedto prevent accidental, inadvertent withdrawal of top 22 from recess 20during its pulling or pushing adjustment relative to frame F. Likewise,clamping mechanism may also be provided to stabilize top 22 at apreferred location relative to frame F. The top 22, although can be madeof any conventional material, it has been successfully fabricated frompolyethylene, such as POLSAN™.

Left and right, preferably parallel, hollow rails 28 and 30 areimmovably mounted on sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively. The rails 28 and30 run generally the length of corresponding walls 12 and 14 and,together with panel 18 form an upwardly open recess 32, which generallycorresponds in shape and size to the recess 20 below. A tray 34 may beslid into recess 32 and under the equipment, such as slicer 8, forcollecting any matter, such as crumbs, that may fall off during handlingof the food. Tray 34 may preferably be made of stainless steel, plastic,aluminum, or other functionally equivalent material.

Three thin steel beams 36, 38 and 40, are supported on rails 28 and 30,and extend generally transverse thereto. Each of the beams is providedwith two types of saddle members that help support an equipment, such asslicer S, as shown. In particular, each of the beams 36, 38 and 40, isprovided with two immovable saddle members 42 and 44, at the endsthereof, that allow the respective beam to slide on the rails 28 and 30.The relative positions of the beams 36, 38 and 40, on rails 28 and 30,however, can be fixed by conventional screw fastener 46. Each of thebeams 36, 38 and 40, is also provided with one or more of saddle members48 that slide across the beams. Therefore, while saddle members 42 and44, slide on rails 28 and 30, they do not, however, slide across thebeams. The beams 36, 38 and 40 are, therefore, slidable on rails 28 and30 along x-axis, and saddle members 48 in a y-axis, as shown.

One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that x and ydirections are transverse to one another and offer the user with a greatflexibility in accommodating equipment of different sizes on supportframe F. (It should be noted that while only three beams with only asmall number of slidable saddle members 48, are shown, it is well withinthe scope of this invention to vary the numbers for each to accommodatethe user's specifications.) As shown in FIG. 1, beams 36, 38 and 40, rungenerally parallel to one another, and likewise rails 28 and 30 also runparallel to one another, it is, however, within the scope of thisinvention to vary this orientation.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each slidable saddle member 48 has agenerally planar top 53 with recess 50. The recess 50 is bound on twosides by upwardly extending walls 52 and 54. A downwardly open channel56, bound by parallel vertical walls 58 and 60, is provided below recess50. Channel 56 is of a dimension that corresponds to the cross-sectionaldimension of beams 36, 38 and 40, such that saddle members 48 snugly,but slidably, engage the beams. Each saddle member 48 is provided withconventional screw fastener 62 in a hole 64, for immobilizing saddle 48at a desired location on the respective beam. By unscrewing fastener 62,saddle 48 can be moved across the respective beam in a known manner.

The saddle members 42 and 44 are similar in configuration to saddles 48,with the exception that they are made to slidably engage rails 28 and30, the dimensions of which may be different from beams 36, 38 or 40. Inthis regard, it is noted that the tops 53 of both immovable saddlemembers 42 and 44, and movable saddle members 48, extend in a generallycommon horizontal plane so as to stabilize slicer S horizontally onframe F.

As noted above, left and rights rails 28 and 30, are preferably hollowand, therefore, the ends thereof function as sockets for installingaccessory devices to the support frame F. As best shown in FIG. 5, end66 of rail 28 receives a generally L-shaped bracket 68 for supporting,for example, a plastic bag holder 70 in a conventional manner. As shownin FIG. 1, the end 72 opposite to the end 66, is shown with a holder 74that receives a tissue dispenser. A knife block K is also shown mountedto a preferred location on the frame F.

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of support frame F of the invention in atypical retail trade environment. Good results have been achieved whenframe (F) is slidably mounted relative to case DC. In particular,support frame F is shown positioned behind conventional display case DC.In particular, frame F is supported on a support assembly 76. In thisapplication, a slidable shelf 78 is also provided on support assembly76, to offer extra work space for the operator. FIG. 8, likewise, showssupport frame F of the invention positioned behind display case DC. Theframe F, however, is mounted on conventional roll-cart RC and offers theadditional flexibility of moving the work station from one place toanother. The roll-cart RC in FIG. 8, has been shown with additionalshelves 80 and 82 to provide extra work space.

FIG. 7 discloses support frame F mounted on a pedestal, reinforcedsupport column, or stand assembly P having a base 84. One of ordinaryskill in the art would appreciate that by using conventional fastenersin holes 86, the food handling station can be fixedly mounted at adesired location.

FIG. 9 shows another preferred embodiment of a support frame 100according to the invention as mounted on top of a free-standing table T.

Support frame 100 includes, preferably, two spaced opposed side rails104 and may have the three illustrated transversely extending beams 108supported by side rails 104. An adjustment saddle 112 is provided forreleasably securing beams 108 relative to side rails 104. Preferably,one adjustment saddle 112 is provided at each free end of each beam 108.

A plurality of support saddles 116, configured for movement along beams108, and fixedly adjustable relative thereto, are provided.

An outwardly curved member 120, which can be termed an underbelly pan ordrip pan, extends underneath beams 108. Good results have been achievedwhen underbelly pan 120 has been made integral with side rails 104.

Table T includes a number of uprights 124, for example, as well asassociated feet 128, which feet 128 may be provided with respectivepadding elements 132, and adjustment devices 136 for varying the offsetbetween feet 128 and respective uprights 124.

FIG. 10 illustrates a support frame 100 in which only a left beam 144and a right beam 154 are provided. The embodiment of FIG. 10 is suitedfor applications in which the footprint of a machine to be supported onsupport saddles 116 has a footprint which can be accommodated withrelatively few support saddles 116, and which requires no central beamfor additional support, or for carrying additional support saddles.

FIG. 11 is a side, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 10,illustrating the support of a machine M, as shown in phantom line. FIG.11 illustrates the use of a fastener, such as a set screw 164, forlocking adjustment saddles 112 relative to side rails 104, and which aredescribed in detail immediately below.

FIGS. 12 and 13 disclose enlarged views of a portion of the supportframes of FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, to illustrate the detail ofadjustable adjustment saddles 112 and support saddles 116.

The upper perspective view of FIG. 12 shows support saddle 116 having apair of downwardly extending walls 158 which engage opposite verticalsides of beam 108. A fastener such as set screw 168, is threadedlyengaged with one of vertical walls 158. It is expected that either oneor both of vertical walls 158 will carry one or more set screws 168.

FIG. 13 shows a preferred embodiment of adjustment saddle 112, as viewedfrom below, and which makes clearer that an inwardly extending lower lip172 is provided. Lower lip 172 cooperates with a lower support surface180 of adjustment saddle 112 in engaging upper and lower surfaces 182and 184, respectively, of side rails 104. Good results have beenachieved when adjustable engagement between set screw 164 and lower lip172 is provided by a nut 176 attached to lower lip 172. It is likewisecontemplated that lower lip 172 will be provided with conventionalfemale threads configured for engaging with mating male threads of setscrew 164, as will be readily appreciated by person having ordinaryskill in the art.

USE AND OPERATION

Initially, it should be noted that the support frame F can be used invarious applications. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, frame F can be fixedlymounted to a display case (FIG. 6), or on a roll-cart and moved in orabout a work area (FIG. 8). In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, supportframe F, having the configuration of an upstanding apparatus, can befixedly mounted on the floor of the working area. In this connection, itshould also be noted that the use of work top 22 and crumb tray 34 isnot necessary, but is recommended. When used in conjunction with worktop 22 and crumb tray 34, however, support frame F functions as a workstation with various applications, examples of which are shown in FIGS.6-8. In other words, support frame F is extremely versatile in that itcan be easily utilized as a self-standing work station by adding only afew components.

In a typical application, support frame F would be mounted on a support,such as a roll-cart or support column (FIGS. 7-8). When it is desired toplace an equipment, such as slicer S, the relative positions of thebeams 36, 38 and 40 along the x direction, and the relative positions ofsaddles 48 along the y direction, are changed to correspond to theconfiguration of the foot print of the slicer. (It should be noted thatin the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-8, the positions of the saddlemembers 42 and 44, would be changed when the corresponding beam is movedon rails 28 and 30. However, it is within the scope of the invention toprovide an arrangement where saddle members 42 and 44 move independentlyof beams 36, 38 and 40, on rails 28 and 30.)

The slicer is then placed such that the outline of its footprint isreceived in top recesses of various saddles. When it is desired toremove the equipment, it is simply lifted off support frame F and,another equipment can be easily placed by adjusting the positions ofbeams 36, 38 and 40 and saddles 48, to correspond to the footprint ofthe new equipment. During use, tray 34 can be positioned below slicer S,for catching and collecting any crumbs that may fall during slicing offood, such as meat. The tray 34 can be easily pulled out for cleaning.

The embodiments of FIGS. 8-13 are generally used as described above.

It should be appreciated that adjustment saddles 112 are particularlysuited for use in "messy" environments, such as the food serviceindustry, and machine shops, for example, where lots of extraneousmatter and particulates tend to accumulate on work surfaces.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that lower lips 172 provide asheltered environment for upwardly extending set screws 164. Thus, ithas been found that in the food industry, food processing equipment,located such as machine M in FIG. 11, have not soiled set screws 164with processed material being thrown off by machine M, as set screws 164are not exposed to falling debris.

In addition, underbelly pan 120, shown in FIGS. 9-12, has been found tobe much more readily cleaned, and hence more hygienic, than flatterversions, even when curved underbelly pan 120 is provided in a fixed,unremovable form, as illustrated.

Thus, it has been found that debris which falls onto underbelly pan 120is readily removed as the user can insert his or her hand underneathbeams 108 and support saddles 116, for example, and wipe extraneousmaterial off the upper surface of underbelly pan 120.

The illustrated, typically fixed underbelly pan 120, is sufficientlycurved so that the typical user can insert his or her hand. It islikewise contemplated that underbelly pan 120 be provided as a partiallyor completely removable pan, whereby the entire pan can be removed forless frequent, more extensive cleaning, for example. Bellypan 120 can beconfigured so as to be a substitute frame for frame F of the embodimentof FIG. 6 (FIG. 6).

While this invention has been described as having a preferredembodiment, it is understood that it is capable of furthermodifications, uses and/or adaptations following in general theprinciple of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in theart to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to thecentral features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope ofthe invention and of the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support frame for a piece of food handlingequipment, comprising:a) a base including a pair of laterally spacedrails; b) a plurality of spaced apart beams extending generallytransversely between said pair of rails; c) said beams being slidablerelative to said rails in a first direction; d) a plurality ofadjustment saddles being provided on and movable relative to arespective one of said rails, and said adjustment saddles being disposedbetween respective beams and rails; e) means positioned on said beamsfor supporting a piece of equipment; f) said equipment supporting meansincluding a plurality of support saddles; g) said support saddles beingmovable relative to said beams in a second direction generallytransverse to said first direction; h) a fastener disposed on each saidadjustment saddle for releasably fixing said adjustment saddle relativeto said rail; i) means provided on said adjustment saddle for shelteringsaid fastener from debris; and j) said sheltering means being configuredfor sheltering said fastener from debris falling down from above saidsheltering means.
 2. The support frame of claim 1, wherein:a) saidsheltering means includes a lip configured for extending beneath saidrail.
 3. The support frame of claim 2, wherein:a) said lip extendssubstantially horizontally.
 4. The support frame of claim 1, including:a) means provided adjacent to said beams for collecting matter whichfalls past said beams.
 5. The support frame of claim 4, wherein:a) saidcollecting means includes a curved underbelly pan.
 6. A support framefor supporting a piece of equipment, comprising:a) a main frame forsupporting a piece of equipment; b) said main frame including:i) a baseframe including a pair of laterally spaced immovable rails; ii) aplurality of spaced apart beams extending generally transversely betweensaid pair of rails; iii) said beams being slidable relative to saidrails in a first direction; iv) a plurality of adjustment saddlesdisposed adjacent to said beams and adjacent to said rails forreleasably fixing said beams relative to said rails; v) said adjustmentsaddles being movable relative to a respective one of said rails; vi) aplurality of support saddles positioned on said beams for supporting apiece of equipment; vii) said support saddles being slidable relative tosaid beams in a second direction generally transverse to said firstdirection; viii) a fastener disposed on each said adjustment saddle forreleasably fixing said adjustment saddle relative to said rail; and ix)a lip disposed on said support saddle, said lip extending over saidfastener for sheltering said fastener from falling debris.
 7. Thesupport frame of claim 6, wherein:a) said lip extends substantiallyhorizontally.
 8. The support frame of claim 6, including:a) means forcollecting matter which falls past said beams.
 9. The support frame ofclaim 8, wherein:a) said collecting means includes a curved underbellypan.